Cultural atlas of Mesopotamia and the ancient Near East / by Michael Roaf.

"An Equinox book".-- P. [2].

Includes bibliographical references (p. 224) and index.

Preface -- Part One. Villages -- Early Farmers (12,000- 7000 BC) -- Toward Civilisation (7000-4000 BC) -- Part Two. Cities -- The Urban explosion (4000-3000 BC) -- States in Conflict (3000-2350 BC) -- Charismatic Kings (2350-2000 BC) -- Trade and Warfare (2000-1600 BC) -- Part Three. Empires -- Allies and Enemies (1600-1000 BC) -- Assyria and its Rivals (1000-750 BC) -- Assyria Triumphant (750-626 BC) -- The Last Empires (626-330 BC)

Beginning with a description of the physical changes that occurred in the region following the last Ice Age, and their influence on patterns of settlement, the atlas tells the story of the cultural, technological, political and economic achievements of the different peoples, races and tribes who occupied the area in the course of nearly 12,000 years. From the early nomads, it charts the growth of the warring city states, through the rise of Babylon and Assyria, and culminating in the mighty Persian empire of Darius and its destruction by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. 53 maps; 468 illustrations, 342 in color.

An exploration into the geography, history, archaeology and anthropology of the Near East from pre-history to 330 BC. Coverage includes early farming, the move towards civilization, the urban explosion, warring states, trade, international empires and conquerors from East and West.